by Jason Joyner | Feb 16, 2009 | Blog, CSFF, Cyndere's Midnight, fantasy, reading, speculative fiction
This month the CSFF Tour is featuring Cyndere’s Midnight, the latest book from film critic Jeffrey Overstreet. It is the second book in the Auralia’s Thread series (the Blue Thread).
In the first book of the series, Auralia’s Colors, we are introduced to the world of the Expanse, home of four great Houses. The House Abascar in the East is where a mysterious young girl is found as a baby. As Abascar grows cold and bleak, this girl breaks forth with a gift of colors that enchant and enrage. Events involving the royal family, poor servants, exiled criminals, and this young Auralia swirl together until the House is brought low, and the remnant must flee to the cliffs farther south.
The second book takes us to the western House Bel Amica, where a lonely heiress contemplates life without her consort and the pressures of being the sole heir of their throne. She shared visions with her love of helping the beastmen of Cent Regus, a once magnificent house in the South that has fallen into a literal corruption, with the people being transformed by a strange Essence into the form of animals, with the mind of savages as well.
Four brothers of the beastmen are led by their oldest brother toward a plot involving the weakened refugees of Abascar. However, one of the brothers, Jordam, has developed a new awareness by his exposure to Auralia’s colors, and he begins to question his purpose and direction.
Passions, power, and politics threaten to engulf the Expanse as two solitary figures collide at a well, painted blue by an orphan girl, unaware of their place in the coming conflagration.
—
I am excited for this tour for several reasons. First, I’ve finally managed to read one of the books (missed out on the last few offerings). Second, I was highly impressed with Auralia’s Colors, and was curious on how the story continued in Midnight. Finally, I think that Jeffrey is an important voice in Christian fantasy, and I want to see what comes of his work.
I have several things, including a review of the book and an interview with the author. I have several past posts covering Auralia’s Colors (here, here, here, and there).
You can also visit Jeffrey Overstreet’s Web site, blog, or find him on Facebook. And as always, see my amazing tourmates below (Rebecca LuElla Miller always keeps a list of those that have posted each day).
Brandon Barr
Keanan Brand
Rachel Briard
Valerie Comer
Amy Cruson
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Shane Deal
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Andrea Graham
Todd Michael Greene
Katie Hart
Timothy Hicks
Jason Isbell
Kait
Carol Keen
Magma
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Eve Nielsen
Nissa
Wade Ogletree
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Steve Rice
Crista Richey
Alice M. Roelke
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Fred Warren
Jill Williamson
by Jason Joyner | Feb 16, 2009 | Blog, CSFF, Cyndere's Midnight, fantasy, reading, speculative fiction
This month the CSFF Tour is featuring Cyndere’s Midnight, the latest book from film critic Jeffrey Overstreet. It is the second book in the Auralia’s Thread series (the Blue Thread).
In the first book of the series, Auralia’s Colors, we are introduced to the world of the Expanse, home of four great Houses. The House Abascar in the East is where a mysterious young girl is found as a baby. As Abascar grows cold and bleak, this girl breaks forth with a gift of colors that enchant and enrage. Events involving the royal family, poor servants, exiled criminals, and this young Auralia swirl together until the House is brought low, and the remnant must flee to the cliffs farther south.
The second book takes us to the western House Bel Amica, where a lonely heiress contemplates life without her consort and the pressures of being the sole heir of their throne. She shared visions with her love of helping the beastmen of Cent Regus, a once magnificent house in the South that has fallen into a literal corruption, with the people being transformed by a strange Essence into the form of animals, with the mind of savages as well.
Four brothers of the beastmen are led by their oldest brother toward a plot involving the weakened refugees of Abascar. However, one of the brothers, Jordam, has developed a new awareness by his exposure to Auralia’s colors, and he begins to question his purpose and direction.
Passions, power, and politics threaten to engulf the Expanse as two solitary figures collide at a well, painted blue by an orphan girl, unaware of their place in the coming conflagration.
—
I am excited for this tour for several reasons. First, I’ve finally managed to read one of the books (missed out on the last few offerings). Second, I was highly impressed with Auralia’s Colors, and was curious on how the story continued in Midnight. Finally, I think that Jeffrey is an important voice in Christian fantasy, and I want to see what comes of his work.
I have several things, including a review of the book and an interview with the author. I have several past posts covering Auralia’s Colors (here, here, here, and there).
You can also visit Jeffrey Overstreet’s Web site, blog, or find him on Facebook. And as always, see my amazing tourmates below (Rebecca LuElla Miller always keeps a list of those that have posted each day).
Brandon Barr
Keanan Brand
Rachel Briard
Valerie Comer
Amy Cruson
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Shane Deal
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Andrea Graham
Todd Michael Greene
Katie Hart
Timothy Hicks
Jason Isbell
Kait
Carol Keen
Magma
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Eve Nielsen
Nissa
Wade Ogletree
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Steve Rice
Crista Richey
Alice M. Roelke
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Fred Warren
Jill Williamson
by Jason Joyner | Jan 21, 2009 | Blog, CSFF, fantasy, speculative fiction
The tour continues, focusing on D. Barkely Briggs’ first book in the Karac Tor series, The Book of Names.
I want to mention first how impressive his website is. Most authors are going to have a site anymore, but I believe his is used exceptionally well to support his work. He obviously has spent a lot of time building an interesting back story creating his alternative realms. There are well done maps, character drawings, and tidbits of legends from Karac Tor. It drew me into his story and intrigued me. This alone made me wish I had been able to read his book for the tour. Thankfully he has a download available for the first three chapters, which I’ll discuss below.
One more item on his site. He has a page with numerous links of myth and lore. It is clear he’s done a lot of research and is a true fantasy fan. There’s plenty here to keep one occupied for a while.
As far as the first three chapters, he sets a credible stage for his story. Yesterday I mentioned how Briggs started this story by telling it to his boys in the tragic loss of his wife/their mother. The book starts with the oldest of four brothers, Hadyn, clearing a bramble field in their new house. He discovers a mysterious rune stone in the brush with his next brother Ewan, while trying to avoid the curious eyes of the 9 year old twins.
Briggs sets up sympathetic characters that are well-rounded, yet distinguished from one another. He introduces the mystery early and keeps a measure of suspense developing. The language is descriptive, for the most part offering quality mental images. Sometimes he adds phrases for clarification that actually seem excessive, but it is a minor point. I’m probably only picking up on this because I am only judging three chapters. It appears to be, from the onset, an interesting YA fantasy fiction that should at least appeal to boys and girls who are fantasy fans. I’m not sure what female characters are ahead that may provide broader female appeal.
I’m glad to highlight this book. It appears that Briggs has taken a tragedy and made something beautiful from it, a work that should entertain and offer hope to others who may have had similar experiences. I will be looking to pick this up at sometime to read more.
Be sure to see Becky Miller’s page, as she highlights those who have posted for the tour, to get more insight into The Book of Names.
—
by Jason Joyner | Jan 21, 2009 | Blog, CSFF, fantasy, speculative fiction
The tour continues, focusing on D. Barkely Briggs’ first book in the Karac Tor series, The Book of Names.
I want to mention first how impressive his website is. Most authors are going to have a site anymore, but I believe his is used exceptionally well to support his work. He obviously has spent a lot of time building an interesting back story creating his alternative realms. There are well done maps, character drawings, and tidbits of legends from Karac Tor. It drew me into his story and intrigued me. This alone made me wish I had been able to read his book for the tour. Thankfully he has a download available for the first three chapters, which I’ll discuss below.
One more item on his site. He has a page with numerous links of myth and lore. It is clear he’s done a lot of research and is a true fantasy fan. There’s plenty here to keep one occupied for a while.
As far as the first three chapters, he sets a credible stage for his story. Yesterday I mentioned how Briggs started this story by telling it to his boys in the tragic loss of his wife/their mother. The book starts with the oldest of four brothers, Hadyn, clearing a bramble field in their new house. He discovers a mysterious rune stone in the brush with his next brother Ewan, while trying to avoid the curious eyes of the 9 year old twins.
Briggs sets up sympathetic characters that are well-rounded, yet distinguished from one another. He introduces the mystery early and keeps a measure of suspense developing. The language is descriptive, for the most part offering quality mental images. Sometimes he adds phrases for clarification that actually seem excessive, but it is a minor point. I’m probably only picking up on this because I am only judging three chapters. It appears to be, from the onset, an interesting YA fantasy fiction that should at least appeal to boys and girls who are fantasy fans. I’m not sure what female characters are ahead that may provide broader female appeal.
I’m glad to highlight this book. It appears that Briggs has taken a tragedy and made something beautiful from it, a work that should entertain and offer hope to others who may have had similar experiences. I will be looking to pick this up at sometime to read more.
Be sure to see Becky Miller’s page, as she highlights those who have posted for the tour, to get more insight into The Book of Names.
—
by Jason Joyner | Jan 20, 2009 | Blog, CSFF, fantasy, reading, speculative fiction
What would you do if you were a father of four boys, and you had recently lost your wife of 16 years?
This is the subject of January’s Christian Sci-fi and Fantasy Tour. D. Barkley Briggs has written a trilogy of the Legends of Karac Tor, and we are highlighting the first in the series, The Book of Names.
Briggs began the story after the loss of his wife. He writes:
…Briggs decided to tell a tale his four sons could relate to in their own journey through loss. Thus was born The Legends of Karac Tor, a sweeping adventure of four brothers who, while struggling to adjust to life without mom, become enmeshed in the crisis of another world. Along the way they must find their courage, face their pain, and never quit searching for home.
I haven’t read the book, but Briggs has developed an impressive website and mythology to his tale. I invite you to take a look for yourself at The Hidden Lands. I will post tomorrow with a discussion of the first three chapters (which are available for free download) plus some other impressions from his site that leave me with a good feeling for this series.
Also, please check out my tourmates listed below:
Sally Apokedak
Brandon Barr
Keanan Brand
Rachel Briard
Valerie Comer
Frank Creed
Amy Cruson
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Shane Deal
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Andrea Graham
Todd Michael Greene
Timothy Hicks
Joleen Howell
Jason Isbell
Cris Jesse
Carol Keen
Magma
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirtika
Eve Nielsen
Nissa
Steve Rice
Crista Richey
Alice M. Roelke
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Jason Waguespac
Phyllis Wheeler
Timothy Wise
by Jason Joyner | Jan 20, 2009 | Blog, CSFF, fantasy, reading, speculative fiction
What would you do if you were a father of four boys, and you had recently lost your wife of 16 years?
This is the subject of January’s Christian Sci-fi and Fantasy Tour. D. Barkley Briggs has written a trilogy of the Legends of Karac Tor, and we are highlighting the first in the series, The Book of Names.
Briggs began the story after the loss of his wife. He writes:
…Briggs decided to tell a tale his four sons could relate to in their own journey through loss. Thus was born The Legends of Karac Tor, a sweeping adventure of four brothers who, while struggling to adjust to life without mom, become enmeshed in the crisis of another world. Along the way they must find their courage, face their pain, and never quit searching for home.
I haven’t read the book, but Briggs has developed an impressive website and mythology to his tale. I invite you to take a look for yourself at The Hidden Lands. I will post tomorrow with a discussion of the first three chapters (which are available for free download) plus some other impressions from his site that leave me with a good feeling for this series.
Also, please check out my tourmates listed below:
Sally Apokedak
Brandon Barr
Keanan Brand
Rachel Briard
Valerie Comer
Frank Creed
Amy Cruson
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Shane Deal
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Andrea Graham
Todd Michael Greene
Timothy Hicks
Joleen Howell
Jason Isbell
Cris Jesse
Carol Keen
Magma
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirtika
Eve Nielsen
Nissa
Steve Rice
Crista Richey
Alice M. Roelke
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Jason Waguespac
Phyllis Wheeler
Timothy Wise
